Shock find of pig's head in ditch at Sutton Bridge

The shock find of a pig's head and hide in a ditch at Sutton Bridge is raising fears of farm animals being stolen and subjected to "dreadful suffering".

Farmer and parish councillor Simon Booth took pictures of the grim scene in a ditch at Fields Farm North, beside the A17 on Sunday.

He's seen comments on Facebook and in the farming press about pigs and sheep being stolen here and there but Lincolnshire and Norfolk Police told the Spalding Guardian that no livestock thefts have been reported to them recently.

A pig's head was a shocking find in fly-tipped waste at Sutton Bridge.

Mr Booth said: "It seems to be happening all over the place - there seems to be this back street butchering going on and it's a terrible thing."

As well as untold suffering caused to animals through amateur slaughter, Mr Booth says there is a risk to human health because of chemicals, such as hormones, that may be in the meat.

He said: "When farmers send livestock to market it has got to be clear of so many things.

"I have been in touch with the police and they don't really want to have anything to do with it and I have been in touch with the NFU (National Farmers Union) and they are not going to follow it up."

But the NFU is urging farmers to be vigilant - and asking farmers and the public to report incidents to the police.

An NFU spokesman said: "We are very concerned to hear about these incidents around Sutton Bridge as it appears livestock are being picked off in small numbers, rudimentarily butchered and then sold on for their meat.

"We are aware of similar incidents in other parts of the country, which lead to dreadful suffering for the animals involved and deal a crushing blow to the farmers they belong to.

"We would urge people to report incidents like this to the police in order for them to be able to build up an accurate picture of what's happening and for livestock farmers to be extra vigilant."

The remains of a pig were found alongside a number of green bags and Mr Booth says: "I don't know what's inside them - I won't go down the bank because you don't know what you will find."

The spot was targeted on January 26 and February 17 with animal entrails found.

This pig's skin was dumped beside at the A17 at Sutton Bridge.

Mr Booth told the recent parish council meeting: "It looks as though someone has been doing a bit of butchering on the quiet and getting rid of the carcasses."

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, South Holland District Council portfolio holder for place said: "Whilst we have not received other reports in the district of fly-tips involving animal remains recently, we treat all cases of tipping seriously, especially those with the potential to cause harm to the public and local wildlife.

"Regardless of its contents, we encourage residents to report all incidents of litter and fly tipping by going on to our website and using the Report It function.

"This greatly assists our teams in working with the relevant authorities to deal with matters as quickly as practical, and hopefully finding evidence to identify the culprits who are blighting our towns, villages and countryside."

* Anyone with information about animal thefts or fly-tipped animal waste can contact police on 101.